An eight-week single-blind randomised controlled trial on dual task balance training and motor imagery practice in ischaemic stroke survivors.

The purpose of this study was to find the effects of motor imagery on balance and mobility of stroke patients.This was a single-blind randomised controlled trial which included a total of 30 patients. These patients were assigned into two group: experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) by sealed envelope method. Functional Reach Test (FRT), Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ) were used as assessment tools. The overall mean age of the participants was 52.63 ±8.78 years. Between groups analysis showed non-statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in FRT but significant difference in TUGT, BBS, and MIQ-3 (p<0.009) after eight weeks of training. Within group analysis showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for all outcome measures. This study concluded that motor imagery is an effective treatment strategy for improving balance and mobility in stroke patients and brings better results as compared to conventional treatments.

Association of muscles length and strength with balance and functional status among children with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation of muscle length and muscle strength with balance and functional status among children with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2021 at the Physical Therapy Department of Chal Foundation and Fatima Physiotherapy Centre, Swabi, Pakistan, and comprised children aged 4-12 years with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy. The strength of back and lower limb muscles was assessed through manual muscles testing. Lower limb muscle's length, indicating tightness, was assessed using goniometer. Paediatric balance scale and gross motor function measure scale-88 were used to assess balance and gross motor function. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 83 subjects, 47(56.6%) were boys and 36(43.4%) were girls. The overall mean age was 7.31±2.02 years, mean weight was 19.71±5.45kg, mean height was 105.5±14cm and mean body mass index was 17.32±1.64 kg/m2. There was a positive and significant correlation of all the lower limb muscles' strength with balance (p<0.01) and functional status (p<0.01). The correlation between the tightness of muscles and balance was significant and negative for all lower limb muscles (p<0.005). The correlation between the muscles' tightness and functional status was negative and significant for all lower limb muscles (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Good muscle strength and appropriate flexibility of lower limb muscles enhanced functional status and good balance in children with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy.

Relationship between muscular impairment and psychological health with lower extremity functions in patients with transtibial amputation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of muscular impairment and psychological health with lower extremity functions in patients with transtibial amputation. METHODS: The correlational study was conducted from March to September 2021 at the Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised male patients with transtibial amputation. Data was collected using the depression anxiety stress scale and the lower extremity functional scale. The correlation of muscular impairment and psychological health with lower extremity functions was determined. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: There were 85 male patients with a mean age of 53.74±11.30 years. There was weak iliopsoas muscle strength 4.64±0.50 and reduced muscle length of hamstrings 67.00±6.41 on the affected side. There was non-significant correlation in muscle atrophy of both amputated limb (p=0.82) and non-amputated limb (p=0.58) with lower extremity function. Significant inverse correlation was present between depression, anxiety and stress (p=0.001) with lower extremity function. CONCLUSIONS: Weak iliopsoas muscle strength and tight hamstrings were observed on the amputated side. Muscle atrophy was more in non-amputated limb than amputated limb. There was significant inverse correlation of depression, anxiety and stress with lower extremity function.

Effect of core muscle strengthening on throwing velocity in cricket players in Pakistan: a 6-week randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: During fielding throwing ball with more velocity and accuracy towards the stump to reduce score and produce an out of the opponent team. Core is the power house of the body. Core training improves the strength of trunk muscles and allows the players to kick, throw, pull, and push with greater force. This study was conducted to determine the effects of core muscle strengthening on throwing velocity in cricket players that whether core muscle strengthening would help the cricket players to improve their throwing velocity and core endurance. METHODS: A 6 weeks' randomized controlled trial in which Ninety-eight male cricket players participated and divided into strength training (interventional) and non-strength training (control group). Interventional group followed general core strengthening exercise protocol for six weeks for 3 days a week. Assessment of the players include core assessment test (back extension, supine forward flexion test, prone bridge test). Time and throwing velocity were noted by stop watch and radar gun in km/hr respectively at baseline and after 6 weeks of core training. Control group did not follow any exercise program but continued their usual cricket training. RESULTS: Mean age of interventional group was 20.4±4.9 years and control group was 21.6±3.4 years. The mean BMI of interventional and control group was 22.4±2.7 kg/m2 and 21.8±2.1 kg/m2, respectively. Comparing both groups, in between group analysis strength training group results showed statistically highly significant increase P<0.001 in components throwing velocity, back extension, supine flesion, right plank lateral, left lateral plane and isometric prone plank than non-strengthening group. In within group analysis, strength group had improved as compared to the control group which showed no improvement. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant increase in throwing velocity and core endurance with six weeks general core strengthening in male cricket players.

Association of breastfeeding cessation with health-related quality of life in working multiparous women of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Breastfeeding rates in Pakistan are the lowest in South Asia. Multiparous working women in Rawalpindi-Islamabad often think if cessation of breastfeeding will affect their and their baby's health. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted on 200 multiparous working women to evaluate the association between cessation of breastfeeding and health-related quality of life in multiparous working women and to determine the common reasons of breastfeeding cessation. A modified SF-36 QOL questionnaire was used. The mothers who breastfed their babies for less than or up to six months reported their general health worse at the time of study than one year ago, which accounts for 34(68%) of the entire data, 42(21%) women ceased to breastfeed their babies due to less milk production and 31 (15.5%) women due to the nature of their job. Chi-Square test showed that there is a significant association (i.e. p-value < 0.001) between health-related quality of life and early breastfeeding cessation.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism of transforming growth factor ß1 (T29C) in breast cancer patients: a case control study in Rawalpindi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphism in three CC, TT and TC genotypes of transforming growth factor ß1 T29C in breast cancer patients. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted from April 2017 to April 2018 at the Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in collaboration with Nuclear Oncology Medicine and Radiotherapy Institute and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Using convenience sampling, breast cancer cases and healthy controls were enrolled. All investigations were done using standardized laboratory protocols. The outcomes were determined in terms of association of single nucleotide polymorphism of transforming growth factor ß1with breast cancer. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 150 subjects, 80(53.3%) were cases and 70(47.7%) were healthy controls. Among the cases, the most frequent genotype was CC 38(47.5%) followed by TC 26(32.5%) and TT 16(20%). Among the controls, the corrsesponding values were 50(71.42%), 13(18.5%) and 7(10%). Transforming growth factor ß1 TC genotype was strongly associated with the increased risk of developing breast cancer (odds ratio: 3.79). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of breast cancer was markedly lower among women with CC genotype compared to those with CT or TT genotypes.

Inhibition of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis in BALB/c Mice Using Copper Oxide Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are known for their unique properties and are being utilized in various disciplines of sciences. Their nanosize enables them to higher exposure and higher availability when given orally. Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition into the joints. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis in mice. In this research, synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles of size ranging from 30 to 50 nm were administered orally to mice having gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia. Various biochemical markers were conducted to determine the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles. It was observed that the mice treated with CuO NPs at various concentrations showed a significant (0.001) decrease in the serum uric acid levels in comparison with the negative control. Furthermore, creatinine levels were also normal in comparison with the control mice. Measurement of synovial joints also revealed that mice administered with CuO NPs had reduced inflammation of synovial joints in comparison with the negative control. From this research, it was concluded that copper oxide nanoparticles have potential in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by decreasing serum uric acid and inflammation in synovial joints.

Comparison of asymmetric dimethylarginine levels between pre- and post-menopausal women - a cross-sectional study from Rawalpindi.

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and to evaluate its relationship with time since onset of menopause. METHODS: The cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from April 2017 to March 2018, and comprised individuals recruited from the Gynaecology and Obstetrics outpatient department of the Pakistan Railway Hospital in the city. The subjects were divided into two groups; pre-menopausal women in Group I and postmenopausal in Group II. Group II was subdivided into three categories according to time since onset of menopause. Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were estimated in each subject. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 80 subjects, there were 40(50%) in Group I with a mean age of 36.25}6.8 years, 40(50%) in Group II with a mean age of49.83}4.35 years. There was a significant increase in mean asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in Group II compared to Group I (p<0.05). There was also a significant increase in asymmetric dimethylarginine levels with increase in duration since the onset of menopause (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine increased significantly after menopause.

Serum Albumin and C3 Complement Levels in Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of albumin and C3 complement as serum marker for the early diagnosis of endometriosis in women of reproductive age. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Biochemistry Department, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Pakistan Railways Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March 2017 to February 2018. METHODOLOGY: Forty-four patients with endometriosis and 44 controls of reproductive age group were enrolled for the study. Those having other comorbid systemic or endocrine diseases were excluded from the study. Levels of albumin and C3 complement were measured by using Micro Lab 300 and ELISA, respectively; and the results were compared by using SPSS version 21. groups, respectively (p=0.201). The mean serum C3 levels were 1120.9±265 µg/ml and 2241.0±293 µg/ml in the control and endometriosis patient groups, respectively (p <0.001). RESULTS: The mean serum albumin levels were 4.62±0.88 g/dl and 4.42±0.52 g/dl in the control and endometriosis Conclusion: Serum C3 complement were significantly increased in endometriosis patients but not in controls; whereas, serum albumin levels were not significantly different in endometriosis cases as compared to the controls.